Connor Bedard ripped in a one-timer from the slot to jazz up the United Center crowd, then followed by cranking out a celly slide down on one knee. A happy early lead for 19,370 Chicago fans? Nope, the goal didn't count. Swayman and the Bruins kept Bedard (98) and the Blackhawks at bay [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNzM1MjUxOTY0MjA4OTE2/usatsi_21727038_168401008_lowres.jpg] Swayman and the Bruins kept Bedard (98) and the Blackhawks at bay And the Blackhawks weren't able to get another one that did as they were blanked by the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman 3-0 on Tuesday night. Chicago dropped its third straight and fell to 2-5-0. The Bruins improved to 6-0-0, matching their best start to a season since 1937-38. Boston fired a season-high 43 shots on Petr Mrazek, who kept it close until goals by rookie Matthew Poitras and Trent Frederic 56 seconds apart early in the third put it away. Pavel Zacha also scored for the Bruins, and Swayman made 23 saves in his 10th career shutout. DISALLOWED BEDARD GOAL: OFFSIDE Bedard appeared to have opened the scoring when he beat Swayman during a power-play with 6:44 left in the first. Then the goal was disallowed following a video challenge by Boston. Bedard left no doubt on his high shot, jumping on Charlie Coyle's blind pass from the right corner. But the review showed Andreas Athanasiou had entered the zone inches ahead of the puck, creating an offside. Chicago's offense went into hibernation after the disallowed score — with help from the Bruins' tight and hard-nosed play. "That always happens to both teams in a game throughout the year," coach Luke Richardson said. "But they're a hard team. I'm kind of at the point, I'm tired. One year's enough that we're a hard-working team. We want to push for more this year." See video. Hard-working isn't good enough: Luke Richardson wants more from Blackhawks this season. Bedard finished with no shots on goal, but attempted five (two blocked, three missed the net) skating mostly on a line with veterans Nick Foligno and Tyler Johnson. RICHARDSON CALLS FOR BATTLE DRILLS The Bruins are a top team coming of a record-breaking season. But Richardson didn't conceal his displeasure with his team's poor effort and lack of grit. "I find the other teams, not outwork us work-ethic wise, but I want to say the hardness of the work," Richardson said. "Like the physical one-on-one battles and we've got to work on that." The fix? "Battle drills," said Richardson, a longtime rugged NHL defenseman. "If you don't do it in a game, you've got to do it in practice. And that's just the work ethic in any sport." See video. Displeased after Blackhawks 3-0 loss to Bruins, coach Luke Richardson calls for "battle drills" in practice. Chicago drops third straight. BRUINS TAKE OVER After a scoreless first period, the Bruins slowly took charge in the second. Boston outshot Chicago 18-7 in the middle frame and took a 1-0 lead at 3:50 on Zacha's first goal of the season. Petr Mrazek held Chicago in this one until late. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNzMzOTkxMTIyODcxOTUx/usatsi_21726991_168401008_lowres.jpg] Petr Mrazek held Chicago in this one until late. The Bruins sustained play after the Blackhawks failed to clear their zone. Zacha extended his stick and deflected Kevin Shattenkirk's shot from the right point past Mrazek. Rookie Chicago defenseman Kevin Korchinski and center Lukas Reichel were in the area, but not tying anyone up. https://x.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1716997524832002123?s=20 [https://x.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1716997524832002123?s=20] The Bruins put it away with two quick goals in the third and swept their regular-season series with Chicago, 2-0 Rookie Matthew Poitras makes it 2-0, finishing a breakaway for his third goal in his last two games. That's one more than Bedard's season total. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNzM1MTY0NDU0MjUwMTI3/usatsi_21727335_168401008_lowres.jpg] Rookie Matthew Poitras makes it 2-0, finishing a breakaway for his third goal in his last two games. That's one more than Bedard's season total. Following a turnover, the 19-year-old Poitras raced past 38-year-old Corey Perry, broke in alone and made it 2-0 with his third goal at 4:06. Frederic wrapped in a rebound from a goalmouth scrum at 5:02. EARLY ROOKIE RACE Poitras has three goals in his last two games, giving him three goals and an assist in his first six NHL contests. That's the same as Bedard's point total of four, on two goals, two assists in seven contests. Poitras, from Ajax, Ontario, played last season for the OHL Guelph Storm where he had 16 goals and 79 assists in 63 games. Bedard had 71 goals and 72 assists in 57 games for the WHL Regina Pats en route to being named CHL Player of the Year. KURASHEV RETURNS Forward Philipp Kurashev played his first regular-season game after being sidelined with a left wrist injury. Richardson said Kurashev was his team's best player and used him late on a line with Bedard. The move resulted in some chances, but no shots on net for either Bedard or Kurashev. PENALTY KILLER Reichel, a speedy center, has yet to record a point, but he looked sharpest at times as a penalty killer against Boston. Chicago's first-round draft pick in 2020 (17th overall), the 21-year-old Reichel is rated as the No. 2 forward prospect in the organization. "I'm sure he's frustrated," Richardson said, "but you have to get harder and more determined. That's pro hockey."
